Jackson, a defender, initially joined Rangers straight from Ruthrieston School in 1962. He had a spell with Aberdeen side Sunnybank Athletic before rejoining the Light Blues in 1963. He made a total of 506 appearances for Rangers between 1963 and 1982 and during his time at Ibrox won 3 League championships, 3 Scottish Cups and 5 League Cup. Perhaps the biggest disappointment during his career came in 1972 when he missed out on Rangers' 3-2 European Cup Winners' Cup final win against Moscow Dynamo having failed a fitness test prior to the game.

Jackson holds the unique distinction of being a Rangers player who scored a title-winning goal...for Celtic. On May 21, 1979 Jackson scored an own goal, Celtic's third in a 4-2 win over Rangers which secured the Scottish Premier League title for the Parkhead side.

Jackson was also recognised internationally, firstly in the Scottish Football League and Scotland Under-23 sides then the full international side. He won a total of 8 caps between 1975 and 1976, scoring one goal.